Microsoft Store’s Dell Venue 8 Pro Deal Sells Out Almost Immediately

Buyers who had a feeling that the Microsoft Store’s deal on the Dell Venue 8 Pro wouldn’t last long were right. As of now, the Microsoft Store’s website is completely out of stock, ending one of the best deals on a tablet running Windows we’ve ever seen.

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Announced last week, the first phase of the deal allowed a very limited number users to pick up Dell’s latest 8-inch Windows tablet for just $99 in store and online. Once that initial allotment of devices ran out, Microsoft said that it would continue offering the Dell Venue 8 Pro for $199 while supplies lasted. Apparently, supplies didn’t last very long. We checked the site just 5 minutes after the sale started and were greeted by an “out of stock notice.”

Due to the low number of devices and the ferocity at which users apparently flocked to the Microsoft Store’s website, it’s impossible to tell whether Microsoft managed to get the 8-inch tablet in the hands of everyday users looking for a Windows tablet or technology enthusiasts who found out about the deal on Friday and simply wanted a new tablet to call their own.

Microsoft is likely happy with either. Getting the Venue 8 Pro into users hands could help generate some much-needed publicity for 8-inch Windows machines. Mid-size devices like the Dell Venue 8 Pro could go a long way in helping Windows gain market share from the iPad mini and Nexus 7.

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Today’s deal is over, but Microsoft is hoping to keep users excited for Microsoft-related products throughout the holiday season. Today’s deal was just the first in a sale that will see Microsoft mark down items once a day until December 21st.

Microsoft is highlighting a few permanent markdowns for the holidays as well. For example, the retailer is selling the Xbox 360 4GB Kinect Holiday Bundle for just $199. Normally, that same Xbox bundle would cost users $299. The company has also marked down a few tablets like the Razer Edge Touchscreen Gaming tablet, the Asus X102BA touchscreen laptop and more.

Site was terrible. Was actually able to get it to say it added to my cart, then error out when I tried to purchase multiple times before it said sold out. Tried contacting their support and they were no help. Phone support gave me a bogus complaints email address. I expect better than this from Microsoft.

I added it to my cart several times and then it disappeared. I kept on trying and I was able to get 2 for $199 each. I really only wanted one but I didn’t notice it I went to pay and didn’t want to take a chance updating the cart.